Pep Lijnders joins Manchester City to strengthen Guardiola's team
- Pep Lijnders has been appointed to Manchester City's coaching staff following his success at Liverpool.
- The appointment is part of a broader restructuring aimed at improving the team's performance after a trophyless season.
- This move underscores City's ambition to maintain competitiveness in both domestic and international football.
In England, Manchester City has confirmed the appointment of Pep Lijnders, who formerly served as an assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. This move comes after a notable reshuffle of Guardiola's coaching staff at the Etihad Stadium, which included the departure of long-serving assistants and a set-piece coach. Lijnders has a proven track record, having played a significant role in Liverpool’s achievements, including the Premier League title and Champions League victory. His experience is expected to align well with City's style and ambitions as they recover from a challenging trophyless season. Alongside him, City has also hired James French, an opposition analyst previously with Liverpool, as part of the coaching revamp. French has a decade of experience with the club and aims to optimize tactical strategies for City moving forward. The goal of these appointments is to enhance coaching structures to better compete in both domestic and international competitions. These changes will be implemented in preparation for the upcoming Club World Cup, set to commence on June 14. Pep Lijnders' return to the Premier League comes after a brief managerial stint at RB Salzburg. His role at City marks the first assistant position he has accepted since leaving Liverpool with Klopp in 2024. Both he and French are expected to make significant contributions as they integrate into Guardiola's setup, further evolving City's tactical approach. As City aims to regain their dominant position in football, the addition of these coaches is seen as a pivotal step toward achieving their strategic goals. In summary, the recent appointments symbolize Manchester City's commitment to revitalizing their coaching structure. By incorporating expertise from former rivals, they hope to bolster their efforts to achieve greater success in the forthcoming season. The changes also reflect the club's need to address weaknesses identified in the previous campaign, aiming for a more robust and competitive team moving forward.